| 
WELCOME
TO RESIDENTIAL LIFE
Your
residential experience is an important and integral part
of your Barnard education. One of the best ways to benefit
fully from the experience is to become an active participant
in the community. A wide variety of activities will take
place in your residence hall throughout the year. For students
entering in January, you are one of a small group of entering
students at this time! We encourage you to become an active
member of your community by taking part in programs already
on the calendar, and to contribute your ideas and energies
to plan new activities.
This
section includes important information about residential
life at Barnard including details you will need for planning
your arrival, information about what to bring when you move
onto campus, and for first-years, what to expect from First-Year
Focus. Please take the time to read through this and share
it with your parent(s), guardian(s), or other persons who
may need to know this information.
Below is an extensive list of things you might want to bring
along with you for your room. Most students don’t
bring everything, but this list should give you lots of
ideas about what to pack. Keep in mind most things can be
purchased near campus, and certainly in New York City. It
will be helpful to discuss what you are bringing with your
roommate(s) so you won’t duplicate items unnecessarily.
Please note you cannot install or affix anything in the
room that will be permanent or damaging to the walls, doors,
ceilings, or floor.
FIRST-YEAR
FOCUS
The
First-Year Focus (FYF) Program at Barnard is an extended
orientation program that continues throughout the entire
first year. Co-sponsored by Residential Life & Housing
and the Dean of Studies, it combines academic and co-curricular
activities to assist first-year students in adjusting to
various aspects of college life.
The
goals of the FYF Program are threefold:
-
To assist Barnard College first-year students in making
a successful academic and social transition from high
school to college life.
-
To offer a wide variety of social and educational programs
that introduces Barnard first-year students to the College,
Columbia University, and New York City.
-
To facilitate communication in the residence halls that
allows students from diverse backgrounds to share experiences
and learn from each other.
The
objectives of these goals are carried out through a dynamic
staff, including an Associate Director (AD), two Graduate Hall
Directors (GHDs) and nineteen Resident Assistants (RAs).
The Associate Director works closely with the First-Year Class
Dean to ensure academic and co-curricular success for each
Barnard woman.
The
key Residential Life staff member with whom you will have
the most frequent contact is the RA who lives on your floor.
She is an upper class Barnard student who will be an excellent
resource for information about Barnard College, Columbia
University, and New York City. Your RA can be counted on
to share her experiences at Barnard thus far, give advice
about all sorts of issues, and answer many of your varied
questions. Take time to get to know her!
ROOM
ASSIGNMENTS
The
First-Year Focus Associate Director makes room assignments for
first-year students. For transfer and visiting students,
the Office of Residential Life and Housing makes room assignments
on a space-availability basis. The information on your Housing
Response Form serves as a guide to match you with another
person/s. Each form is read individually and your responses
and comments are reviewed carefully. You can request a particular
roommate(s), with the exception of the Wellness Area available
to first-year students. Requests specifying only one particular
residence hall or type of accommodation cannot be considered,
nor can roommate preference based upon race, ethnicity,
religion, religious practices, sexual orientation, socioeconomic
status, physical characteristic, or national origin. You
can request a particular roommate(s), but this person MUST
also request you in writing.
Please
submit your Housing Response Form via eBear. Transfer and
visiting student room assignments are made on a first-come,
first-served basis.
If you
have a disability that may require specialized housing consideration,
please see the Disibility Services
section of this website and visit the Disability
Services web site at www.barnard.edu/ods.
Click on “manuals and forms” to find information
regarding specialized housing requests. You may also contact
the Director, Susan Quinby at (212) 854-4634.
REQUESTING
ROOMMATE VERSUS ROOMMATE MATCHING
Over
the years, many incoming Barnard students have expressed
anxiety about deciding whether to request a roommate or
to be paired with a roommate(s) through our matching process.
It may seem easier, or more comforting, to live with someone
you know well, someone you have met during an Open House,
or someone whose name you have been given through the friend
of a friend. However, attending a particular high school
or sharing a racial or religious background does not predict
a successful roommate relationship. Our lifestyle questions
on the Housing Response Form seem to be accurate predictors
of successful roommate relationships.
The
staff strongly encourages you to open yourself to the roommate
matching process as we attempt to expose the incoming students
to others with diverse life experiences, yet similar lifestyles,
with hopes that you are able to learn and grow from each
other. Some students find that living with a person they
knew prior to attending Barnard can be isolating, as they
are less inclined to reach out and meet new people. Other
students find that having a friend already on-campus (who
is not their roommate) increases their social network. Still
others encourage you to open yourself to the experience
and adventure of living with someone you did not know prior
to arriving at Barnard. Lastly, others hope to remind you
that generally less than a dozen situations are incompatible
in any given year and there are a tremendous amount of matched-roommate
success stories.
NOTIFICATION
OF YOUR ROOM ASSIGNMENT
Final
room assignments will be communicated to you by the middle
of August for fall entrants. No information regarding assignments
will be available before that time.
MOVE-IN
INFORMATION
Be aware
of parking rules and regulations if you are arriving by
car. The College cannot be responsible for tickets or towing.
Please remember you should never leave your car unattended
while loading or unloading. If you arrive by car or taxi,
have the driver wait at the gate while you (the new student)
check in at Barnard Hall lobby.
In the
lobby of Barnard Hall, a member of the Office of Residential
Life staff will have your check-in packet, which will include
your room key. At this time, you will sign the Terms and
Conditions of Residence Hall Living.
On move-in
day, New Student Orientation Program volunteers will assist
in moving your belongings into the residence halls. They
also coordinate use of carts.
MOVE-IN
DATES
Fall
Semester:
Monday, August 25 (First-Years)
Wednesday, August 27 (Transfer/Visiting)
Spring
Semester:
Thursday, January 15 (All New Students) |
HOUSING
RESPONSE FORM DEADLINES
Fall
Semester:
Friday, June 13
Spring
Semester:
Friday, December 12 |
WHERE
YOU WILL BE LIVING
First-year
students will be assigned to a two, three, or four-person
room in the Quad. The Quad is an interconnected four-building
complex made up of Sulzberger, Reid, Brooks, and Hewitt
Halls. Transfer students and students visiting from other
colleges/universities may be assigned to a corridor style
building (bedrooms off of a hallway with a shared bathroom)
or a suite-style building (several bedrooms in a suite with
a shared kitchen and bathroom). All rooms are furnished
with beds, desks, desk chairs, dressers, bookcases, and
wardrobes (in the absence of a closet). You will find your
residence hall is not only a place to sleep, but also a
place to study, to have conversations with friends, to enjoy
your meals, to work on the computer, and to do your laundry.
WHAT
TO EXPECT IN YOUR ROOM
Each
room in Sulzberger, Brooks and Reid Hall has the following:
• One twin extra long bed/bunk/or loft per person*
• One wardrobe or built-in closet per person**
• One dresser per person
• One phone to share (with voicemail)
• One bookshelf per person
• One desk and chair per person
• A minimum of one light (either overhead or mounted
on wall)
Every floor has a lounge with a microwave oven, stovetop,
and TV for all floor residents to use! Some floors may also
have a study lounge.
*Some Sulzberger and Brooks Hall rooms have bunks or lofts,
depending upon space configuration
** Some Brooks Hall rooms have large built-in closets–
in these rooms, roommates will need to share closet space.
***All Barnard first-year housing is smoke, alcohol, and
substance free
THINGS
TO BRING TO BARNARD
For the Room:
-
Air purifier (if you are prone to allergies)
-
Alarm clock
-
Blanket, comforter, extra long twin sheets, pillow(s)
-
Camera
-
Cleaning supplies (broom and dustpan, glass cleaner, sponges,
small trash bags)
-
Clothes hangers
-
First aid kit, flashlight, sewing kit
-
Lamps (we recommend a three-spotlight floor lamp; no halogen
lamps are permitted)
-
Pictures, plants, posters, decorations, area rug
- Small
cube refrigerator (or rent one on campus) Small desk-top
fan (window fans are not permitted)
-
Storage crates
-
Surge protector, power strip (regular extension cords
are not recommended)
-
Umbrella, raincoat, boots, winter coat
-
Waste basket
For College Life:
- ALL
BARNARD correspondence
-
Address book, envelopes, stationery, stamps
-
Appointment book, calendar
-
Book bag or knapsack
-
Computer, laptop, printer (and disks), Ethernet card
-
Desk supplies – pens, pencils, eraser, glue, scissors,
highlighters, notebooks, tape, thumbtacks, stapler
For
Personal Needs:
-
Blow dryer and
all hair products
-
Laundry bag, detergent, iron, small ironing board
-
Personal care products
-
Shower caddy
-
Towels, washcloths, shower shoes
WHAT
NOT TO BRING:
- All
of your books and notes from high school
-
Air conditioner or window style fan
-
Blue “sticky tape” or double sided tape for
hanging posters (We recommend masking tape)
-
Candles (even sentimental ones), incense (they are fire
hazards and NOT permitted)
-
Cinder blocks
-
Extra furniture
-
Halogen lamps (they are fire hazards and NOT permitted)
-
Microwave oven, hot plate, open coil heater, toaster oven,
or toaster
-
Pets
-
Telephone, answering machine, or modem (they will not
work in our
buildings)
-
Your entire wardrobe
TIPS
FOR LIVING WITH YOUR ROOMMATE(S)
Living
with a roommate(s) can be one of the most exciting
parts of your first semester at Barnard; it can also
be one of the most challenging. Everyone has her own
habits and ways of approaching life. While sharing
a room with others, there’s bound to be some
tension now and then.
Communication
is key. If you are feeling uncomfortable with anything
that is going on in the room, the very best thing
to do is approach your roommate(s) as soon as possible
to talk about it. Most people are surprised to learn
how accommodating roommates are willing to be, if
and when they are approached in a constructive, non-hostile
manner. If you want to approach your roommate(s) about
any issues, but you are not sure how to start the
conversation, speak with your RA. She not only has
training in these types of situations but also has
experience with her roommate(s) from her first year.
She can help you work out a strategy of how to raise
an issue in the most non-threatening way possible.
A good way to start communicating with your roommate(s)
is to discuss the topics in the First-Year Focus Roommate
Rap, which you will receive during orientation. Take
a few moments in the first week of your arrival to
discuss the questions presented there. You will be
required to fill out a roommate contract to turn in
to your RA.
Every
attempt will be made to match you with a roommate(s)
with whom you share a similar lifestyle. It is important
for roommates to discuss their similarities and differences
at the time they receive notification of their assignment
or upon move-in as a means to better understand each
other and to establish a cooperative relationship. |
TELEPHONES
On-campus
telephone service is provided through CBS Technologies (http://cbswhit.com/
). Your telephone and local phone service will be active
and ready to use as soon as you arrive on campus. You will
incur no charges for local calls (area codes 212, 718, 646,
347 and 917). If you wish to use your room phone in order
to make long distance calls, you will need to purchase a
calling card available at many of the vendors within blocks
of your residence hall. Students will not need to share
codes or split phone bills with roommates. If you have questions
regarding Barnard’s residence hall phone service,
please use this link: www.barnard.edu/reslife/telephones.html.
Any student in need of service or repair of their room phone
should use the following link to report the problem: cbswhit.com/barnardservicerequest.htm.
A CBS Technician will be dispatched on the next business
day to perform the necessary repair work.
SECURITY
All
residence halls maintain a security system with 24-hour
desk coverage. All residents and guests must present valid
photo ID in order to gain access into the facility.
STUDENT
INSURANCE
The
College is not responsible for personal property losses
you may incur due to theft or damage. You are not required
to purchase any insurance. However, you are strongly encouraged
to make arrangements for coverage. National Student Services,
Inc. has designed a full-service, low-cost program for personal
property insurance for students living in residence halls.
Your one-time premium nets you coverage for an entire year,
and this coverage begins the day after you apply. If you
have questions about their program or wish to sign-up, visit
their web site at www.nssinc.com
or call National Student Services toll free at 1-800-256-6774.
STORAGE
Barnard
College is unable to provide on-campus storage for students.
Students wishing to store any belongings over the summer
or during the year should contact The Packing & Shipping
Network (www.summerstorage.com) at 888-654-7447 . They offer
such benefits as on-site pick-up and delivery of storage
items; temperature controlled facilities, and the ability
to store items such as rugs, refrigerators, and electronic
equipment. The Packing and Shipping Network has been providing
these services for college students since 1986 and understands
student needs and concerns.
MEAL
PLANS
ARAMARK,
the campus dining service, is committed to providing a well-balanced,
delicious and nutritious dining service program on campus.
There are a wide variety of food items from which to create
a meal that satisfies your tastes, dietary needs and preferences.
Food options typically available, in addition to the traditional
cafeteria line, include a pizza station, extensive salad
bar, vegetarian and vegan options, and a kosher dining plan.
All First-Year students are required to enroll in a meal
plan (kosher or non-kosher). Upper class students living
in Hewitt Hall are also required to purchase a meal plan.
Please refer to the meal plan information provided in this
booklet for the specifics of each plan. If you have further
questions, visit the web site at www.barnard.edu/dining
or call the Meal Plan Coordinator at (212) 854-6647.
MAIL
No student
mail is distributed in the residence halls. All students
receive a mailbox in Altschul Hall. All student mail, including
letters, periodicals, and packages, is distributed in Mail
Services, located on the first floor of Altschul Hall. It
is essential that all mail sent to you be addressed as follows:
Your NAME
NNNN Altschul
New York, NY 10027-XXXX
(NNNN
represents your 4-digit mailbox number;
10027-XXXX represents a zip+4 number assigned
for your mailbox.)
Please
make sure any trunks or boxes you ship arrive AFTER you
have checked in to your residence hall. No packages can
be accepted by the mailroom before August 22. Packages will
be accepted over the winter break, but it is advisable to
send mail toward the end of the break. Packages addressed
to specific residence halls will not be accepted. If you
have questions regarding mail services, please call Student
Mail Services at (212) 854-2095.
HOUSING
OPTIONS FOR TRANSFER AND VISITING STUDENTS ONLY
(Placement in a particular hall is subject to availability)
Elliott
Hall: 49 Claremont Avenue
Elliott
Hall is adjacent to the west side of Barnard’s
main campus. It houses students in single and double
rooms located in a large suite with a shared bath,
kitchen, and a large lounge area. Elliott’s
facilities, such as the first floor parlor and patio,
provide settings for special activities and events.
Plimpton Hall: 1235 Amsterdam Avenue
Plimpton
is a modern fifteen-story high-rise with all single
rooms located within five-person suites. Each suite
has a kitchen, bathroom and eating area. Plimpton
also features a music practice room, piano lounge,
game/exercise room, a TV lounge and a computer lab.
600
& 616 W. 116th Street
These two
buildings are comprised of suites with a bathroom
and kitchen. Building 600 is an apartment building
which houses students and community residents, while
building 616 houses only students. Students live in
suites ranging from two to six persons, with both
double and single rooms. Buildings 600 and 616 have
a lounge/TV area. Building 616 also houses a computer
lab.
Hewitt
Hall:
Hewitt
houses upper-class students in singles, doubles and
triples on corridors or in large suites with common
lounges. Within the quad are also practice rooms and
a computer lab. This complex also features the Hewitt
Dining Hall (residents in Hewitt must be on a meal
plan). |
For
more information about Residential Life
Steve
Tolman,
212-854-5561 (first-year students)
Matt Kingston
212-854-5561 (transfer and visiting students)
|
|
